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ON WITH THE BUTTER! by Heidi Herman

ON WITH THE BUTTER!

Spread More Living onto Everyday Life

by Heidi Herman

Pub Date: Aug. 14th, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-947233-03-4
Publisher: Hekla Publishing LLC

A sunny self-help guide that aims to reveal the secret to an active and exuberant lifestyle.

This lively and passionate motivational book’s title is a nod to an Icelandic saying, “Áfram með smjörið,” which means “keep moving” or “forge ahead.” It’s this spirit of continual growth and momentum that Icelandic-American author Herman focuses on as she encourages readers to have an open mind when it comes to life’s varied experiences. Happiness can mean something different for everybody, she says, which is why it’s important to figure out what one’s personal definition of happiness is. But in order to do this, she asserts, one must willingly surrender to the unknown in order to embrace the life’s ups and downs; this, in turn, brings one closer to realizing a specific vision of happiness and fulfillment. Even this book’s chapter titles are optimistic and inviting, such as “Just Say Yes,” “Walk on the Wild Side,” and “Enjoy the Simple Things.” Likewise, Herman’s literary voice is warm and trusting as she shares her own challenges and heartaches. At one point, for example, she discusses her initial excitement after signing up for a race called Warrior Dash, which was followed by overwhelming fear and self-doubt. To her surprise, she completed the challenging marathon course faster than she expected, and the result was a renewed confidence in her own abilities: “With that achievement under my belt, I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish if I wanted it.” More mature readers will appreciate Herman’s perspective on aging; rather than see it as something to delay or avoid, she emboldens readers to greet it with open arms—because it provides a wealth of opportunities for new experiences. The book includes a “Challenge Checklist” at the end of each chapter to help readers start brainstorming about new goals and future milestones. There’s also a handy resource section with a list of volunteer and travel organizations.

An upbeat and sincere primer on living one’s best life.